MUSIC

JS Bach Mass in B Minor

8th Feb ’24

Learning aids:
 
 
 
 
 

Haydn Nelson Mass. Mozart Solemn Vespers K339

29th Dec ’23

Dear Singers
I hope you had a good Christmas and are looking forward to getting your teeth into our fantastic Spring 2024 repertoire! 
 
You will remember that Nicola sent out Leslie’s comprehensive rehearsal plan (copied below) in early December and seeing as we have a lot to learn, in particular for the Bach B Minor Mass, we will be looking at all 3 works as soon as we start back in January. With this in mind I thought it would be helpful to send out learning links now (Youtube clips and free learning aids from John Fletcher Music and Choralia), in case you have some free time over the next 7 days to familiarise yourselves with the works to help us hit the ground running at our first rehearsal.
 
Library scores will be distributed on 5th January and some of you have your own copies already. A PDF of movement 24 of Bach B Minor Mass, Dona Nobis Pacem, is also attached if you would like to start learning your parts in advance.

31st Aug ’23 Part 1.

Dear Members

I hope you are looking forward to getting back to singing on 8th September after a good holiday. Nicola has already confirmed our programme for the next concert, but I make no apologies for repeating it here:
 
– A Vivaldi ‘Gloria’ sung in Latin from Ricordi (edited Casella) scores
– JS Bach Motet Jesu Priceless Treasure’ sung in English from Novello scores
– GF Handel Choruses sung in English from Novello scores and/or printed sheets
      Judas Maccabeus No. 46 ‘We Hear’
                                    No. 52 ‘We Never Will Bow Down’
                                    No. 58 ‘See, The Conquering Hero Comes’
      Israel In Egypt       No. 7   ‘He Gave Them Hailstones For Rain’
 
Les will be doing a complete sing through of the Vivaldi at our first rehearsal, together with the following from the Bach: Chorales 1,3,7 and 11 and Choruses 10 and 2. 
 
In the usual way I will distribute library copies in the named pink folders on 8th September. Some people have their own copies and I have purchased a few new scores for others at their request (please pay me at or just after the first rehearsal). In the meantime here are some links to help with your prep:
 
Vivaldi Learning Aid:
 
Vivaldi youtube recording:
 
Bach Learning Aid (right notes but in German)
 
Bach youtu.be recording:
 
If you find better recordings please share.
 
A second email will follow shortly regarding the Handel Choruses.
Kind regards
Steph (Librarian)

31st Aug ’23 Part 2.

Dear Members,

We will not be rehearsing the Handel Choruses during the first rehearsal but the sheet music extracts from Judas Maccabeus will be inside the named pink folders (except where members own the full scores).
 
Please download here and print off a pdf of the Chorus from Israel in Egypt from the Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL).
 
If anyone is unable to print please let me know before 12th September and I will arrange copies for a small fee to cover printing or copying costs, Again, some of you have the Novello scores of the full oratorio to sing from.
 
In the meantime here are some Learning Materials to help with your prep:
 
Judas Maccabeus Learning Aids:
 
Judas Maccabeus uTube recording (around 52 and 1 hour in, recording of the 3rd chorus to be found):
 
Israel in Egypt Learning Aids:
 
Israel in Egypt uTube recording (at 11.50):
 
As always, please share if you find any better learning aids or recordings.
 
Kind regards
Steph (Librarian)

Sprigs of Thyme music notes

20th Mar ‘23

Dear Singers,

More pieces will be given out (in named folders) at the 24th March rehearsal. The following learning resources may help you prepare at home. If you find better ones, please share them with me.

Elgar – Sea Pictures arr Phelps – there is no recording of the Phelps version (SATB & piano) but the following FREE learning aid from Choralia.net may be useful:

https://www.choralia.net/el07mp3/el07mp3en.htm

We will be singing 3 of the 5 songs in the book:

Sea Slumber Song

In Haven

Where Corals Lie

I could find no learning resources for the remaining pieces, but here are some useful recordings:

Grainger – Country Gardens arr Tall (although vowel sounds are slightly dubious here):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiGREVXfaa8

Delius – To be Sung of a Summer Night on the Water arr Channon – Rutter/Cambridge Singers version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIRrdvTyuTc

Sullivan – O Hush Thee my Babie (Les make take this slower):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGJhVP03yAo

The final piece should be available to borrow from after Easter:

Le Strange – Ahoy – 3.Greensleeves and 8.The Water is Wide (O Waly Waly) only (this recording includes a children’s choir which we will not have):

https://open.spotify.com/album/2HJQan3GlhBuB45LLAc1li#login?flow_id=62e985c7-575a-4cfc-b63d-4e03eced8b96:1678403473

Kind regards

Steph (Librarian)